Latest news from BISMA
Please see link below for Entry Form, NOR, Central Solent racing chart and Covid Event Personal Declaration Form for the British Open at RYS, Cowes on 12/13 & 19/20 June 2021.
https://www.rys.org.uk/events/event-details/2021-06-12-6m-open-championships-1-703
Please see below for Cowes Classic Week (2021) NOR and online Entry page.
https://www.cowesclassicsweek.org
https://www.cowesclassicsweek.org/entering/document-downloads
Please note that Cowes Spring Classics has now moved dates to 20-22 August 2021.
It is with great sadness that we report the death of past BISMA Secretary Rees Martin, who died suddenly on Saturday 20th February 2021. Many of you will have known Rees personally and raced with and against him when he owned the 6mR Bear (1989 Pelle Petersen design GBR102). Rees was a proud New Zealander with a huge personality and he will be missed by us all.
During his time as BISMA Secretary from 2004 to 2010, Rees played an important part in amending the 6mR class rules, resulting in the publication of an updated version in 2007. That year Rees also led the British team organising the 2007 World Championships in Cowes and he was heavily involved supporting the 2014 European Championships in Falmouth.
More recently Rees had enjoyed sailing Alert, his beautifully maintained Tumlaren, which was built in Stockholm in 1935. He also really savoured spending time sailing in Fowey in Cornwall where he spent many holidays with his family and friends. He played a key role in creating the popular Cowes Classics Week Regatta and in his most recent role, he was Vice Chairman of the Association of Yachting Historians.
Outside sailing Rees had extensive connections in the art world from his commercial experience running the specialist international art shipping company Momart in London for many years. He was often to be found holding court in the Chelsea Arts Club and making friends over lunch or dinner. He leaves behind his wife Penelope and son Harry. Our thoughts are with them and all his family and closest friends at this difficult time.
The British International Six Metre Association event schedule has been published and can be viewed here. The programme includes a mix of locations and events, and once Covid restrictions allow we hope to see as many boats out racing in 2021 as possible.
The British International 6 Metre Association event schedule has been published and can be viewed here. The programme incorporates a terrific mix of locations and events and we hope to see as many Sixes out racing in 2020 as possible.
Notice of the Annual General Meeting of
The British International Six Metre Association
Royal Southern Yacht Club
Rope Walk, Hamble, Hampshire, SO31 4HB
www.royal-southern.co.uk
18:30 hours Friday 22nd November 2019
followed by Dinner at 20:30 hours
Agenda
The second weekend of the British Open was again held in Cowes from the RYS line. Generally a really lovely regatta spread over the two weekends combined with the 8mRs. There were some beautiful boats on show and good racing for both fleets. Excellent courses over both weekends with a nice mixture of windward / leeward.
With the second weekend now very close to midsummer, Solent courses were set with very strong tides running near the full moon that produced a different set of challenges for the sailors. Close racing with lots of changes in positions, particularly on the Sunday with navigation through the tides & eddies proving crucial in the light breezes. Local knowledge paid off with boats virtually sailing the tide! 
Congratulations to St. Kitts (moderns) and Sioma (classics) for their overall regatta victories (see overall results below).
Great support as ever from the RYS race team and we hope the race officers enjoyed it to. Great support from Peter Scott and his team with their rib support from the RYS Haven. In summary a great event which we plan to continue next year and build on from in 2020. Our collective challenge is to get more boats and/or new owners in to keep the fleet competitive & building.
The British Open Championship is held over two weekends and this is the second edition of this event which has been hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron, with the 8 metres joining in for the Lady Burkeley Cup. It is quickly becoming established as a major Metre Regatta, with the 8 Metre and the 6 Metre Classes represented being enthusiastically supported by the Royal Yacht Squadron. Â A combination of first class racing with the elegance of these beautiful yachts makes for a winning formula.
The 6 Metres are racing for the Lion Bowl in the Open Division, with the Dudley Head Salver being awarded to the first yacht built before 31st December 1965
The forecast of 30 knots plus for the opening day proved accurate so Saturday saw N over A being flown with no racing for the day. Â Sunday showed more promise with a light southerly forecast. In the event the light breeze filled in from the West to produce an ideal day for racing. Two races were initially scheduled with a third added to catch up from the previous day that had been lost to high winds.
The Race Committee, with Jonathan Peel as the RO, made some great calls to complete the three windward leeward races with some interesting tactical choices needed. It turned out to be a perfect day on the water with sun and breeze.
Despite starting only 10 minutes after the 8’s both fleets had different ideas on the route to the weather mark with the changes in wind pressure versus the tide.
There regatta produced three very interesting races between four Classics; Sioma, Nancy, Thistle & Erica, with close racing in beautiful Solent conditions with tide & wind both varying throughout. Erica won both the first two races in lighter conditions, enjoying close racing with Thistle. For the third race the wind picked up to 10/11 knots with slight chop and all four boats were very closely matched. Sioma won this race as she stated to find her rhythm & enjoy the winder conditions. All looking forward to the second half of the British Open on 22/23 June & hoping that Melita will also join the Classics fleet. In the Moderns St Kitts won all 3 races.
We continue for the second part of this event in two weeks time.
Full results are online at rys.org.uk
Our thanks to John Green for this wonderful selection of images
British International Six Metre Association 